Methods and apparatus for charging a battery in a peripheral device

ABSTRACT

A power manager for managing power delivered to a battery operated peripheral device is disclosed. The power manager includes an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to provide an external voltage. A voltage converter unit coupled to the input current limiter converts the received external voltage to a supply voltage that is transmitted by way of a main bus to a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor, sends a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the main bus such that the supply voltage is provided thereto. When the battery is substantially fully charged, the switchover circuit responds by electrically disconnecting the battery so as to not overcharge the battery.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/278,752, entitled, “METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR CHARGING A BATTERY IN APERIPHERAL DEVICE,” filed Oct. 22, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,995,963which is incorporated herein by reference, and which, in turn, claimsthe benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e).to U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application No. 60/345,253, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUS FORCHARGING A BATTERY IN A PERIPHERAL DEVICE VIA A FIREWIRE CABLE,” filedon Oct. 22, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to computing systems. Specifically, amethod and apparatus for managing power delivered by way of a FireWirecable to a battery operated peripheral device.

2. Description of Related Art

FireWire is an IEEE1394 compliant High Performance Serial Bus thatprovides two types of data transfer: asynchronous and isochronous.Asynchronous is for traditional load-and-store applications where datatransfer can be initiated and an application interrupted as a givenlength of data arrives in a buffer. Isochronous data transfer ensuresthat data flows at a pre-set rate so that an application can handle itin a timed way while providing the bandwidth needed for audio, imaging,video, and other streaming data. Isochronous service means it guaranteeslatency or the length of time between a requested action and when theresulting action occurs which is a critical feature in supporting realtime video, for example. FireWire provides a high-speed serial bus withdata transfer rates of 100, 200, or 400 Mbps as well as a singleplug-and-socket connection on which up to 63 devices can be attachedwith data transfer speeds up to 400 Mbps (megabits per second). In thisway, FireWire offers a standard, simple connection to all types ofconsumer electronics, including digital audio devices, digital VCRs anddigital video cameras; as well as to traditional computer peripheralssuch as optical drives and hard disk drives.

The standard FireWire cable consists of six wires in which data is sentvia two separately-shielded twisted pair transmission lines that arecrossed in each cable assembly to create a transmit-receive connection.Two more wires carry power (8 to 28 v, 1.5 A max.) to remote devices. Insome cases, such as with DV camcorders manufactured by the SonyCorporation of Japan, a 4 conductor FireWire cable is used (configuredas the 6 wire cable but without the power wires) that terminate insmaller, 4 prong connectors. To connect a four prong device, such as theSony DV camcorder with a standard IEEE1394 FireWire device or interfacecard, an adapter cable is required having 4 prongs on one side and 6 onthe other. In this way, the data lines are connected while omitting thepower connection.

In those situations, however, when a battery operated six prongperipheral device is coupled to a FireWire cable, it is important forthe power delivered to the device (typically 1.8 v, 3.3, or 5.0 v) to beboth stable and reliable especially when the FireWire cable is eitherconnected or disconnected.

Therefore, what is required is a method and apparatus for managing powerdelivered by way of a FireWire cable to a battery operated peripheraldevice.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, methods, apparatus, and systems aredisclosed for providing a cascadable state machine for broadcast contentis disclosed.

In one embodiment, a power manager for managing power delivered to abattery operated peripheral device is disclosed. The power managerincludes an input current limiter arranged to suppress a power surgeassociated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged to providean external voltage. A voltage converter unit coupled to the inputcurrent limiter converts the received external voltage to a supplyvoltage that is transmitted by way of a main bus to a voltage sensorunit coupled thereto. During the insertion event, a comparator unitcoupled to the voltage sensor, sends a first switching signal to aswitchover circuit that responds by connecting the peripheral device andan uncharged battery to the main bus such that the supply voltage isprovided thereto. When the battery is substantially fully charged, theswitchover circuit responds by electrically disconnecting the battery soas to not overcharge the battery. During a cable removal event, thecomparator unit sends a second signal to the switchover circuit whichresponds by substantially simultaneously disconnecting the main bus fromthe peripheral device and connecting the battery to the peripheraldevice.

In another embodiment, a method for managing power delivered to abattery operated peripheral device is disclosed. Suppressing a powersurge associated with an insertion event by a power cable arranged toprovide an external voltage. Converting the received external voltage toa supply voltage and sending the converted voltage by way of a main busto a voltage sensor unit coupled thereto. During the insertion event,sending a first switching signal to a switchover circuit that respondsby connecting the peripheral device and an uncharged battery to the mainbus. Wherein when the battery is substantially fully charged, theswitchover circuit responds by electrically isolating the battery fromthe powered cable. During a cable removal event, sending a second signalto the switchover circuit which responds by substantially simultaneouslydisconnecting the main bus from the peripheral device and connecting thebattery to the peripheral device.

In still another embodiment, an apparatus for managing power to abattery-operated peripheral device is described. The apparatus includesmeans for receiving an external voltage from an external voltage supplyby way of a cable, wherein the cable includes a number of lines some ofwhich are data lines arranged to form a transmit-receive connection andsome of which are power lines arranged to carry the external voltagefrom the external power supply to the device means for converting areceived external voltage to a supply voltage, means for sensing avoltage, means for generating a switching signal based upon the sensedvoltage, means for receiving the switching signal by a switchovercircuit, and means for connecting the peripheral device and an unchargedbattery to the supply voltage in response to the received switchingsignal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood by reference to the followingdescription taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1A shows a power manager unit with a fully discharged batterycoupled to an active FireWire cable in accordance with an embodiment ofthe invention.

FIG. 1B shows the power manager unit of FIG. 1A where the battery isfully charged in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1C shows the power manager unit of FIG. 1B where the FireWire cableof the invention.

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is fully charged.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary response waveforms for the switchoverstate where the battery is full and the FireWire is unplugged in twoseparate scenarios.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is low and the FireWire is plugged.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is low and the FireWire is unplugged.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is empty and the FireWire is plugged.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is empty and the FireWire is unplugged.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of theinvention. An example of the preferred embodiment is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings. While the invention will be described inconjunction with a preferred embodiment, it will be understood that itis not intended to limit the invention to one preferred embodiment. Tothe contrary, it is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, andequivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of theinvention as defined by the appended claims.

In a battery powered FireWire compatible device, a method and apparatusfor supplying power to the device that can be used to either operate thedevice of charge the device's battery are described. In one embodiment,various power signals on a FireWire data bus coupled to the device,provide for operating the device and/or charging the device's internalbattery over a prescribed range of supply voltages. In a particularembodiment, the apparatus includes a built in surge suppression unit aswell as a FireWire power/battery switchover unit to ensure that a stableand reliable power supply is provided the device. In this way,additional power connectors are substantially eliminated thereby savingproduct cost and reducing product size.

The invention will now be described in terms a FireWire peripheral powermanagement unit suitable for supplying power to any FireWire compatibledevice. Such devices include, for example, personal digital assistants,personal MP3 player/recorders, and the like.

Accordingly, FIG. 1A shows a power manager unit 100 with a fullydischarged battery coupled to an active FireWire cable in accordancewith an embodiment of the invention. The power manager unit 100 includesan input current limiter (also known as an inrush current limiter) 102for suppressing a power surge caused by a FireWire cable insertion eventrelated to voltage transients (i.e., ground bounce) associated with aninsertion of a powered FireWire cable 104 to an input port 106. Itshould be noted, that this phenomenon is only applicable to thoseperipheral devices capable of receiving a FireWire cable having a powerwire included therein (such as a six prong type FireWire cable). Theinput current limiter 102 is, in turn, coupled to a voltage converterunit 108 having an output 108′ arranged to convert a received externalvoltage Vext (in the form of a FireWire voltage VFW having a range ofbetween 8 volts and 28 volts provided by the FireWire cable 104) to asupply voltage Vcc provided to a main bus 110. Typically, the supplyvoltage Vcc can be approximately 1.8 volts, approximately 3.3 volts, orapproximately 5.0 volts each of which is suitable for driving an activecircuit 112 included in a battery operated peripheral device 113.

Without the inrush current limiter, the rise time of fire wire power isslower because fire wire power is loaded with the bulk capacitance ofthe fire wire buck converter. The rise time of fire wire power is:30V/20 us=1.5V/us.

A voltage is injected into the ground plane that elevates all supplyrails by close to a volt. This voltage gradient can destroy componentsand cause reset due to undershoot. A 3.3V buck converter (is currentlimited (0.75 A max) and can not overcome the inrush current andtherefore can not compensate for the voltage gradient on the 3.3V supplyrail.

With the inrush current limiter installed the rise time of fire wirepower is much steeper because the inrush current is limited to wellbelow 1 amp.

In the described embodiment, the voltage converter unit 108 is coupledto a voltage sensor 114 arranged to provide a voltage signal Vsig to acomparator unit 116. The comparator unit 116, based upon the voltagesignal Vsig, provides a switchover signal Vswitch to a switchovercircuit 118. In those cases where the voltage signal Vsig is above avoltage threshold Vth (indicative of a FireWire insertion event havinghad occurred at the input port 106), the comparator unit 116 provides afirst switchover signal Vswitch1 to the switchover circuit 118. Theswitchover circuit 118, in turn, responds to the first switchover signalVswitch1 by connecting the main bus 110 to the active circuit 112 (andthereby the supply voltage Vcc) and to a battery 120 when the battery120 is substantially uncharged so as to provide a charging current tothe battery 120. As shown in FIG. 1B, in those cases where the battery120 is substantially fully charged, the comparator circuit 116 sends asecond switchover signal Vswitch2 that causes the switchover circuit 118to disconnect the battery 120 from the main bus 110 so as to avoidovercharging the battery 120.

The important feature of the fire wire buck converter is its soft startcapability, meaning that the output voltage/current limit is slowlyincreased until it reaches its maximum. The soft start cap C131 ischarged via internal current source. Without the external pull upresistor R48, the output voltage of the buck converter is going tochange about 1.2 s/uF. With the additional pull up resistor and the softstart cap being 0.1 uF, the output voltage rise time is going to be muchsmaller, <15 ms.

In those situations shown in FIG. 1C where the powered FireWire cable104 has been disconnected from the port 106, the voltage signal Vsig isbelow the voltage threshold Vth to which the comparator circuit 116responds by providing a third switchover signal Vswitch3 to theswitchover circuit 118. The switchover circuit 118 responds to the thirdswitchover signal Vswitch3 by disconnecting the main bus 110 from theactive circuit 112 and connecting the battery 120 in such a manner as toprovide a substantially uninterrupted supply voltage Vcc to the activecircuit 112.

Referring to FIG. 2, the switchover circuit 118 includes a comparator202 that helps to ensure a smooth transition from battery to FireWirepower and vice versa. The switch over circuit 118 ensures that thevoltage on the main supply bus 110 (VCC_MAIN) doesn't drop below apredetermined minimum voltage Vmin (at which point a reset signal istypically provided). Accordingly, the FireWire voltage converter 108switches in/out when the voltage on the main bus 110 (Vcc_main) hasrisen/dropped above/below Vmin.

The switch over control circuitry is a very vital part of the systembecause it ensures a smooth transition from battery to fire wire powerand the other way around. The switch over circuit ensures that thevoltage on the main supply bus (net VCC_MAIN) doesn't drop below aminimum voltage, at which the reset circuit generates a reset.

The minimum VCC_MAIN voltage can be calculated as follows:V _(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN,MIN) =V _(TH,RESET,MAX)+(R _(DS,Q5,MAX) +R_(L20,MAX))*I _(VCC3,MAX)(equ. 2.1.4a)With the values inserted we obtain:V _(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN,MIN)=3.135V+(0.05+0.150)Ω*0.5 A=3.235V

For this voltage, the buck regulator U17 behaves as a linear low dropout regulator and PFET Q5 is closed all the time.

The fire wire buck converter is going to be switched in/out when thevoltage on net VCC_MAIN has risen/dropped above/below VVCC_MAIN,MIN. Forthis, the forward voltage drop VFW,D7 of isolation diode D7 has to betaken into account:V _(TH,SWITCHOVER) V _(VCC) _(—) _(MAIN,MIN) +V_(FW,MAX,D7)3.235V+0.55=3.785V  (equ. 2.1.4b)U18's comparator threshold is calculated as follows:

$\begin{matrix}{V_{{TH},{SWITCHOVER}} = {\left( \frac{R_{116} + R_{119}}{R_{116}} \right) \cdot V_{{REF},{U\; 18}}}} & \left( {{{equ}.\mspace{11mu} 2.1}{.4}c} \right)\end{matrix}$

The minimum threshold is:

$\begin{matrix}{V_{{TH},{MIN},{SWITCHOVER}} = {\left( \frac{\left( {R_{116} + {1\%}} \right) + \left( {R_{119} - {1\%}} \right)}{\left( {R_{116} + {1\%}} \right)} \right) \cdot \left( {V_{{REF},{U\; 18}} - {2\%}} \right)}} & \left( {{{equ}.\; 2.1}{.4}d} \right)\end{matrix}$with R116=340K, R119=806K, V_(REF,U18)=1.182V inserted in equ. 2.1.4d weget:V_(TH,MIN,SWITCHOVER)=3.85V<3.785 (see equ. 2.1.4b)→OK!

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is full and the FireWire is plugged in. After theFireWire cable 104 is plugged into the port 106, the output of theFireWire voltage converter 108 reaches its destination voltage within 15ms. When the output of the FireWire voltage converter 108 reaches theswitch over threshold Vswitch, the comparator 202 disconnects batterypower from the main supply bus 110. For a short period of time, neitherthe battery 120 nor the FireWire voltage converter 108 supply power toVCC_MAIN 110 and the voltage on VCC_MAIN 110 will drop until either ofthe voltage sensor 114 starts conducting such that the voltage cannotdrop below the voltage VMIN. Eventually the voltage sensor 114 startsconducting, pulling the voltage on bus 110 up to a pre-set voltage dropVf below the destination output voltage of the FireWire voltageconverter 108.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an exemplary response waveforms for the switchoverstate where the battery is full and the FireWire is unplugged in twoseparate scenarios. Initially, the voltage VVCC_MAIN is Vf below thevoltage of the FireWire voltage converter 108. Due to the system load,the output voltage of the FireWire voltage converter 108 is going todrop rapidly as the voltage sensor 114 discharges into the main supplybus 110. When FireWire 106 is unplugged the voltage at the output of theFireWire voltage converter 108 is going to drop rapidly until thevoltage sensor 114 starts conducting. At this point the voltage at theoutput of the FireWire voltage converter 108 may or may not have notdropped below the switch over threshold Vswitch. There will be twopossible scenarios:

In one scenario shown in FIG. 4, the comparator threshold has beencrossed in which case, the battery 120 has to make up for the voltageVf. In a second scenario shown in FIG. 5, the comparator threshold hasnot been crossed.

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is low and the FireWire is plugged. In the describedembodiment, the battery is considered empty when it's voltage dropsbelow 3.45V. For the purpose of this discussion only therefore, thebattery voltage is considered to be at 3.3V. If the battery voltagedrops below 3.45V the system is turned off and less than 2 mA are drawnfrom the battery. Therefore the voltage the main bus 110 isapproximately equal to the battery voltage VBAT=3.3V. After the FireWireconnector 104 is plugged into the port 106, output 108′ increases. Ifoutput 108′ increases above VVCC_MAIN of 3.3V, the voltage sensor 114starts conducting. The battery will be back fed from then on, untiloutput 108′ reaches the switch over threshold.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is low and the FireWire is unplugged. Initially, thevoltage VVCC_MAIN on the main bus 110 is Vf below the voltage of theFireWire voltage converter 108 resulting in the output 108′ dropping offrapidly. When output 108′ drops below the switch over threshold Vswitch,voltage converter 108 is going to back feed into the battery untiloutput 108′ drops below a level where voltage sensor 114 losesconduction. If the latter occurs, output 108′ is going to be dischargedmuch slower as it is disconnected from the rest of the system. It has tobe noted that this particular scenario is very rare as the batteryvoltage recovers within short periods of time to a level that is abovethe 3.45V system shut down threshold.

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is empty and the FireWire is plugged. When the batteryis empty, VVCC_MAIN is initially approximately ground level and thebattery charger circuit is disabled. If output 108′ charges up,VVCC_MAIN is approximately one diode forward voltage drop below output108′. (It should be noted that a reset circuit keeps the system 100 inconstant reset below voltages of 3.135V) thereby enabling a batterycharger circuit. If battery charger circuit supply voltage has exceededthe lockout voltage of 4.1V, battery back feeding is prevented becausethe battery 120 is disconnected from the system 100. The battery chargeris activated when it's supply voltage exceeds the under voltage lock outthreshold of 4.1V. To enable the battery charger, the voltage at theoutput of the FireWire voltage converter 108 must be one forward diodedrop above the lock out voltage of the battery charger. Therefore,output 108′ has to rise above approximately 4.6V to activate thecharger.

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary response waveforms for the switchover statewhere the battery is empty and the FireWire is unplugged. When thebattery is empty and FireWire 104 is unplugged, the system 100 will rununtil VCC_MAIN drops rapidly below reset threshold voltage Vreset,TH. Inreset, the battery disconnect circuitry disconnects the battery from thesystem 100 when the battery voltage drops below 3.1V to avoid deepdischarge of the battery using a low voltage disconnect circuitry.

Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it should be understood that the present invention may beembodied in many other specific forms without departing from the spiritor the scope of the present invention. Therefore, the present examplesare to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and theinvention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may bemodified within the scope of the appended claims along with their fullscope of equivalents.

While this invention has been described in terms of a preferredembodiment, there are alterations, permutations, and equivalents thatfall within the scope of this invention. It should also be noted thatthere are many alternative ways of implementing both the process andapparatus of the present invention. It is therefore intended that theinvention be interpreted as including all such alterations,permutations, and equivalents as fall within the true spirit and scopeof the present invention.

1. A power manager unit for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: a main bus; an inrush current limiter, wherein the inrush current limiter limits current from a power line connected to the inrush current limiter; a voltage converter unit connected to the main bus and to the output of the inrush current limiter, and having a soft start capability such that an output voltage/current limit is slowly increased until reaching a set limit, preventing a voltage spike on the main bus when a power line is connected to the inrush current limiter, wherein the voltage converter unit is further configured to provide a constant charging current to a battery when connected to the battery; a voltage sensor unit coupled to the main bus and arranged to sense a voltage on the main bus; and a switchover circuit arranged to, upon connection of a power line to the inrush current limiter-causing the voltage sensor unit to sense a voltage on the main bus above a predefined threshold, connect the voltage converter unit to the battery powered device, and upon detection that the battery is in a fully charged state, disconnect the battery from the voltage converter unit such that no current flows to or from the battery.
 2. A power manager as recited in claim 1, wherein the external voltage is delivered by way of a cable that includes a number of lines at least one of which is a power line arranged to carry the external voltage from the external voltage supply to the battery powered device.
 3. The power manager unit of claim 1, wherein the voltage converter unit has an isolation diode with a forward voltage drop and wherein the predefined threshold includes a correction based on the forward voltage drop of the isolation diode.
 4. The power manager unit of claim 1, wherein an output voltage rise time for the voltage converter unit is less than 15 ms.
 5. The power manager unit of claim 1, wherein the soft start capability is implemented using an external pull-up resistor and a soft start capacitor.
 6. The power manager unit of claim 1, wherein the switchover circuit is further arranged to, upon disconnection of a power line from the voltage converter causing the voltage sensor unit to sense a voltage on the main bus below the predefined threshold, disconnect the voltage converter unit from the battery powered device and connect a battery to the battery powered device.
 7. A method as recited in claim 4, wherein the external voltage is delivered by way of a cable that includes a number of lines at least one of which is a power line arranged to carry the external voltage from the external voltage supply to the battery powered device.
 8. A method of managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: receiving an external voltage through a data port in the device; converting the external voltage from the data port to a supply voltage on a main bus using a voltage converter unit having a variable output voltage/current limit with a soft start capability, wherein a soft start capability includes a limit that is gradually increased to a set point when current begins flowing, preventing a voltage spike on the main bus, wherein the voltage converter unit is further configured to provide a constant charging current to a battery when connected to the battery; sensing a voltage on the main bus higher than a predetermined threshold; generating a switching signal based upon the sensed voltage when the sensed voltage is greater than the predefined threshold; and upon detection of the switching signal and upon detection that the battery is in a fully charged state, disconnecting the battery from the voltage converted unit such that no current flows to or from the battery.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the voltage converter unit includes an isolation diode having a forward voltage drop, and wherein the predefined threshold is based on the forward voltage drop.
 10. A power manager unit for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: an inrush current limiter arranged to receive power from a power line connected to the power manager unit and limit current output of the inrush current limiter; a buck converter connected to the output of the inrush current limiter and arranged to convert a voltage from the output of the inrush current limiter to a different voltage on a main bus, wherein the buck converter includes a soft start capability such that an output voltage/current limit is slowly increased until reaching a set limit, preventing a voltage spike on the main bus when a power line is connected to the power manager unit, wherein the buck converter includes an isolation diode having a forward voltage drop, wherein the buck converter is further configured to provide a constant charging current to a battery when connected to the battery; a voltage sensor unit coupled to the main bus and arranged to sense a voltage on the main bus; a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor unit arranged to generate a first switching signal when the voltage sensor unit detects a voltage on the main bus above a first predefined threshold, wherein the first predefined threshold is based on the forward voltage drop; wherein the comparator unit is further arranged to generate a second switching signal when the voltage sensor unit detects a battery full condition in the battery; and a switchover circuit coupled to the comparator unit arranged to respond to the first switching signal and second switching signal by disconnecting the voltage converter unit from the battery such that no current flows to or from the battery.
 11. The power manager unit of claim 10, wherein the inrush current limiter includes a P-fet having a gate driven by a low pass filter.
 12. The power manager unit of claim 10, wherein the comparator unit is further arranged to generate a third switching signal when the battery is connected to the battery powered device and the voltage sensor unit detects a voltage on the main bus below a second predefined threshold, indicating that the battery is low; and wherein the switchover circuit is further arranged to respond to the third switching signal by disconnecting the battery from the battery powered device to avoid deep discharge of the battery.
 13. The power manager unit of claim 10, wherein the comparator unit is further arranged to generate a reset signal when the power line is disconnected from the main bus and the voltage sensor unit detects a voltage on the main bus less than the second predefined threshold, and wherein the switchover circuit is arranged to respond to the reset signal by disconnecting the battery from the battery powered device to avoid deep discharge of the battery.
 14. A system comprising: a battery powered device having a CPU; a power manager unit for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: an inrush current limiter arranged to receive power from a power line connected to the power manager unit and limit current output of the inrush current limiter; a buck converter connected to the output of the inrush current limiter and arranged to convert a voltage from the output of the inrush current limiter to a different voltage on a main bus, wherein the buck converter includes a soft start capability such that an output voltage/current limit is slowly increased until reaching a set limit, preventing a voltage spike on the main bus when a power line is connected to the power manager unit, wherein the buck converter includes an isolation diode having a forward voltage drop, wherein the buck converter is further configured to provide a constant charging current to a battery when connected to the battery; a voltage sensor unit coupled to the main bus and arranged to sense a voltage on the main bus; a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor unit arranged to generate a first switching signal when the voltage sensor unit detects a voltage on the main bus above a first predefined threshold, wherein the first predefined threshold is based on the forward voltage drop wherein the comparator unit is further arranged to generate a reset signal when the power line is disconnected from the main bus and the voltage sensor unit detects a voltage on the main bus less than the second predefined threshold; and a switchover circuit coupled to the comparator unit arranged to respond to the first switching signal by concurrently disconnecting the voltage converter unit from the battery such that no current flows to or from the battery if the battery is in a fully charged state wherein the switchover circuit is arranged to respond to the reset signal by disconnecting the battery from the battery powered device to avoid deep discharge of the battery; and wherein the CPU is configured to respond to the reset signal by entering a sleep state.
 15. A power manager unit for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: a main bus; voltage conversion means having a soft start capability such that an output voltage/current limit is slowly increased until reaching a set limit, for preventing a voltage spike on the main bus when a power line is connected to the voltage conversion means, wherein the voltage conversion means is further configured to provide a constant charring current to a battery when connected to the battery; voltage sensing means for sensing a voltage on the main bus; and switchover means for, upon connection of a power line to the voltage converter causing the voltage sensor unit to sense a voltage on the main bus above a predefined threshold, connecting the voltage conversion means to the battery powered device and disconnect the voltage conversion means from the battery if the battery is in a fully charged state such that no current flows to or from the battery.
 16. The power manager unit of claim 15, wherein the comparison means includes means for, if the power line is connected to the power manager unit, generating a second switching signal when the voltage sensing means detects a voltage on the main bus below a second threshold, and generating a third switching signal when the voltage sensing means detects a voltage on the main bus below a third threshold; and wherein the switchover means further includes means for responding to the second switching signal by connecting the battery to the power line and responding to the third switching signal by disconnecting the battery from the power line.
 17. The power manager unit of claim 1, wherein the constant charging current is 750 mA.
 18. The method of claim 8, wherein the constant charging current is 750 mA.
 19. A power manager unit for managing power delivered to a battery powered device, comprising: an inrush current limiter arranged to receive power from a power line connected to the power manager unit and limit current output of the inrush current limiter; a buck converter connected to the output of the inrush current limiter and arranged to convert a voltage from the output of the inrush current limiter to a different voltage on a main bus, wherein the buck converter includes a soft start capability such that an output voltage/current limit is slowly increased until reaching a set limit, preventing a voltage spike on the main bus when a power line is connected to the power manager unit, wherein the buck converter includes an isolation diode having a forward voltage drop, wherein the buck converter is further configured to provide a constant charging current to a battery when connected to the battery, wherein the constant charging current is 750 mA; a voltage sensor unit coupled to the main bus and arranged to sense a voltage on the main bus; a comparator unit coupled to the voltage sensor unit arranged to generate a first switching signal when the voltage sensor unit detects a voltage on the main bus above a first predefined threshold, wherein the first predefined threshold is based on the forward voltage drop; wherein the comparator unit is further arranged to generate a second switching signal when the voltage sensor unit detects a battery full condition in the battery and a switchover circuit coupled to the comparator unit arranged to respond to the first switching signal and second switching signal by disconnecting the voltage converter unit from the battery such that no current flows to or from the battery.
 20. The power manager unit of claim 19, further comprising a disconnect circuit coupled to the switchover circuit and configured to completely disconnect the voltage converted unit from the battery upon instruction from the switchover circuit. 